Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

"Mingzhu, there's something I want to discuss with you."

Li Jing, after witnessing his son's immense divine skills, had unknowingly developed the habit of consulting Li Mingzhu about everything—a stark difference from how things used to be.

"Please speak, father."

Li Mingzhu, oblivious to the subtle change in dynamics, was more than willing to let Li Jing involve him in discussions.

"Twenty years ago, when I returned from seeking the Dao with Master Du'e Zhenren in West Kunlun, I encountered four brothers on my journey back. These four brothers now defend Jiameng Pass, and have cultivated remarkable divine skills. I was thinking—might I invite them to accompany us to the North Sea?"

Li Jing deliberated for a moment before addressing Li Mingzhu. There was a subtle undertone of seeking repayment for past kindness, which made Li Jing feel somewhat awkward.

"Father speaks of the four brothers of the Mo Family, no doubt?"

Li Mingzhu immediately recognized who Li Jing meant: the Mo Family's Four Generals of Jiameng Pass, destined to become the Four Great Heavenly Kings. Naturally, he knew of them.

"Indeed, them. My son, have you heard of them?"

Li Jing asked with excitement. If Li Mingzhu were connected to the Mo Family's Four Generals, this initiative might actually succeed.

The Marquis Beihai is, after all, a regional lord. Li Jing worried they might lack manpower upon reaching the North Sea, hence his thoughts turned to the Mo Family brothers.

"Certainly, I've heard of them. However, the Mo Family's Four Generals are actually Outer Disciples of the Jie Sect. In terms of seniority, they are technically my uncles. Father, when the time comes, accompany me to meet them, but refrain from mentioning that incident from twenty years ago—it might give rise to unnecessary misunderstandings. I will try to persuade them, and I believe success is likely."

Li Mingzhu said with a smile. Members of the Jie Sect were generally reasonable, but if Li Jing harped on the debt from twenty years ago, it could backfire.

While Jie Sect members were indeed easy to communicate with, they were notoriously prideful.

"Very well. If my son is fortunate enough to share such ties, then so be it." Li Jing laughed heartily. Having a capable son truly meant he could worry less.

As Li Jing revelled in his role as an uninvolved supervisor, Li Mingzhu began pondering deeply.

The Mo Family's Four Generals were recorded on the Investiture of the Gods, with a cultivation level only at the Profound Immortal stage. However, they possessed several noteworthy Innate Spiritual Treasures, making their combined strength rather formidable.

Since Li Jing had raised the matter, it was worth attempting.

"My lord~"

While Li Mingzhu was lost in thought, Hu Mei, the Nine-tailed Fox clad in palace attire, approached carrying a bowl of spiritual tea. Despite donning notably conservative clothing, her natural allure was undiminished.

It couldn't be helped; it was simply intrinsic to her being. Thankfully, Li Mingzhu's willpower was exceptional.

Accepting the spiritual tea from Hu Mei, Li Mingzhu smiled and said, "The Pipa Demon's essence was already given to you. While it still cannot restore her cultivation to its original level, it is still what she deserves. I hope you understand."

Since she had pledged loyalty to him, Li Mingzhu was willing to offer a few pointers. The Pipa Demon deserved her fate, and Li Mingzhu warned Hu Mei against letting it disrupt her state of mind.

"This servant understands. This servant has come to request permission to return to Qingqiu Mountain. Many years have passed since I was last home, and now that I have decided to follow my lord, I still wish to go back for a visit."

Hu Mei spoke carefully, afraid of upsetting Li Mingzhu.

"No matter. That is only natural. You may return to Qingqiu Mountain first. Incidentally, we will head to the North Sea after seven days—you can meet us there then."

Li Mingzhu replied with a smile. While ruthless toward his enemies, he was far more lenient with his people. Even though Hu Mei was merely a servant, he did not impose excessive restrictions.

"Thank you, my lord."

Hu Mei immediately knelt in gratitude. She had thought Li Mingzhu would refuse outright, only to find it so simple. This made her deeply grateful to have such a good master.

"By the way, how is Daji faring lately?"

Li Mingzhu suddenly asked Hu Mei, triggered by her presence to recall Daji, whom he had sent to Chentang Pass.

"Still much the same, though her study of Daoist skills is diligent. She has already reached the Golden Core stage!"

Hu Mei replied respectfully. Golden Core, huh?

Li Mingzhu decided it was time to release Daji, believing her emergence would undoubtedly cause a significant stir.

In a flash, Li Mingzhu disappeared, reappearing in the Li Family's villa outside the city—the very place he had arranged for Daji's residence.

"Daji!"

Li Mingzhu called out, abruptly interrupting Daji's Daoist training. Upon seeing him, Daji hurriedly flew over to him.

"What are you here for?"

Daji asked coldly. Though Li Mingzhu had saved her, he hadn't sent her to West Qi, leaving her discontented.

"To assist in boosting your cultivation, after which you are free to leave!"

Li Mingzhu remained indifferent; he had long since planned her role in his schemes.

"Truly?"

Daji was visibly skeptical. Was this man genuinely so considerate?

"Believe what you will. This is a Spirit Fruit that can elevate you to the Primordial Spirit Realm. Here is also a somewhat decent Flying Taoist Skill manual—learn it well, and once done, you are free to go wherever you please. No one will stop you!"

Li Mingzhu finished his statement and departed immediately. If this move could incite Yin Shang to wage war on West Qi, that would be ideal—if not, it wouldn't matter.

He had already done more than enough; it wasn't as though he owed her perpetual protection.

No chance—saving her life was the limit. Any further involvement was purely because she retained some utility value.

While King Zhou already had Lady Xi as his consort, the potential news of Daji's survival could lead to unpredictable outcomes.

Who knew? Li Jing was off to serve as Marquis Beihai in the North Sea. Even if Chentang Pass were engulfed in war, the Li Family had already extricated itself from any entanglement.

This was Li Mingzhu's grand strategy. While Chentang Pass held importance, its position wedged between West Qi and Yin Shang offered no advantage for Divine Enthronement politics.

Thus, Li Mingzhu spared no effort aiding Li Jing in securing the Marquis Beihai post—choosing to stake its claim in the North Sea to watch how the winds shifted.

This overarching plan solidified Li Mingzhu's decision to release Daji. Whatever direction she chose, it was irrelevant to him.

If she truly united with Bo Yikao in a romance, it would simply be her good fortune, requiring no further commentary.

If not, well, that merely indicated her fate lacked sufficient blessings. Li Mingzhu could hardly be expected to support her indefinitely.

He had always maintained that his assistance stemmed solely from her logistical value. Divine Enthronement, at its core, was a relentless game of mutual scheming!

Saints calculated fate across their grand chessboards, while Li Mingzhu and his ilk operated on smaller boards, mapping personal gains and losses.

Seven days later, Li Jing gathered the family for their journey to the North Sea.

Li Mingzhu naturally traveled along, part of a grand convoy stretching several kilometers—a testament to the Li Family's legacy!

Gazing at the astonishingly extensive procession, Li Mingzhu pondered deeply. With these resources and reserves, the North Sea could surely bloom into prosperity.

The Nine-tailed Fox had departed for Qingqiu Mountain seven days earlier, and Daji, having broken through to the Primordial Spirit Realm five days ago, mastered the Flying Taoist Skill and left in a streak of light—heading west.